1/5/09

What is going on with today's music?

I promise you that I am not one of those old people that screams about her child's choice in music. If anything, they learn to like new music because I am playing it.

I try not to censor too much of what they hear (well, too much of what Z hears). I typically buy the "radio" version of the song, meaning they do censor any most cursing. And I certainly don't let him listen to things like Eminem (although I will admit that there are a select few songs that I do enjoy that Eminem singsraps performs)whose lyrics typically follow these lines:

The way you shake it, I can't believe it I ain't never seen an ass like that The way you move it, you make my pee pee go Doing, doing, doing

Anyway...Z handed me an "updated" Christmas list 2 days before Christmas. Still believing in Santa, he thought that it would be no problem to get whatever he wanted. I had to inform him that Santa would NOT be bringing a Nintendo DS (because I don't believe that an 8 year old child needs - or is responsible enough to take care of - a $130 hand held gaming device). Also on the list were CDs (which he had not originally asked for).

The CDs were not a problem. I have a pretty extensive Itunes library and I know that he loves a lot of the music I listen to (aside from Les Miserable and The Newsies Soundtrack...oh and Phantom of the Opera). I also bought about 15 new songs.

I burned the CDs for him and presented them in his new CD holder under the Christmas tree. I also added them to my Ipod and listened to them while I was washing the Christmas dishes...

And I heard lyrics like this about a woman drunk at a nightclub:

I've had a little bit too much, muchAll of the people start to rush, start to rush byHow does he twist the dance? Can't find a drink, oh manWhere are my keys? I lost my phone, phoneAnd this one about the woman with super powers (and, yes, even the radio "edited" version had bitch in it):

Some days I'm a super bitchUp to my old tricksBut it won't last foreverNext day I'm your super girlOut to save the worldAnd it keeps getting betterOne about a woman being abused by her boyfriend:Do you feel like a manWhen you push her around? Do you feel better now, as she falls to the ground? Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to endAs your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.And one with incredibly bad grammar that encourages you to accept me "just the way I are" and to tip when I strip:

~ Timbaland ~I ain't got no moneyI ain't got no car to take you on a dateI can't even buy you flowersBut together we could be the perfect soulmatesTalk to me girl~ Keri Hilson ~OhBaby, it's alright nowYou ain't gotta flaunt for meIf we go touchYou can still touch my love, it's freeWe can work without the perks just you and meThug it out til' we get it right~ Chorus ~ Baby if you strip, you can get a tip'Cause I like you just the way you areI'm about to strip and I'm well equippedCan you handle me the way I'm are? I don't need the G's or the car keysBoy I like you just the way you areLet me see ya strip, you can get a tip'Cause I like, I like, I like... Now, I am not a prude. These are things that my kids hear on the radio every day. I wonder...is this a sign of my getting older? It's not that I don't like the music (honestly, I enjoy all the songs above)...but I am not so sure about allowing my son to hear music that demoralizes women, encourages lousy grammar (and cursing) and encourages drinking...I mean, he is 8!!

And if all this isn't bad enough, A has the memory of an elephant. He takes things and locks them in immediately. Today in the car we were listening to the radio, per usual, and we heard the latest Nickleback song. A immediately learned the chorus and began to sing:

You naughty thingYou’re ripping up the dance floor honeyYou naughty womenYou shake your ass around for everyoneYou’re such a moverI love the way you dance with anybodyThe way you swingAnd tease them all by sucking on your thumbYour so much cooler when you never pull it outCause you look so much cuterwith Something in Your MouthLovely....

5 comments:

No, I don't think you're crazy OR getting old for that matter. I think things have changed...what is considered acceptable to the masses has gotten completely out of hand. It's what sells. I think it's ridiculous & most of the songs you hear objectify women and encourage kids to grow up too fast. I don't let my kids listen to most of it either. Unfortunately that's what we are left with having to do--I know they're going to hear it somewhere else at some point, but I see it as my job to keep my kids their own ages for as long as possible. You're doing a great job!

Well, that's one nice thing ... my kids are all teens now and past having to worry about this. Not that I approve of it all, but my 2 oldest are basically adults. My youngest, fortunately, doesn't like anything (so far) I need to worry about. The new Nickelback song ... yeah, that surprised me too! He hasn't heard that one (thank God!).

About Me

I am a stay at home mom and massage therapist. I am the mother to two wonderful little men, have helped raise two stepchildren and now raise my granddaughter as well. My life is crazy, though it is not unique - many mothers live a life similar to mine. I work to keep my sanity, I stay home to keep my boy's sane